Cutting Competition

[Knightsteel]

I know that it isn't traditional tameshigiri, but I thought some of you might be inbterested in our results. Winning cut was 23 mats.

http://www.angelsword.com/Resources/cutting_competition_results.php

[pgsmith]

Looks like your guys had fun. Doesn't look like you had many sign up for it though.

Cheers,

[Knightsteel]

That was more than enough competitors for me to feel nearly overwhelmed. I had been hoping for between 10 and 20 cutters. I would have liked a few more traditional guys however.

[chrismoses]

Yup, looks like fun. If you want to have more fun, next time buy some real targets. (http://tameshigiri.com) ;) That would really make things interesting.

[CEB]

Heck I would use Pumpkins. That would be cool.

[socho]

Daniel,
congrats on what looks like a successful and fun event. Am reasonably sure the more 'traditional' guys would not have done better. Very impressive results, looks like some monster blades. As Chris said/implied, the Bugei wara is big but a bit soft, and chances are the numbers will be smaller with regular tatami omote, but what the heck, still takes a lot to cut through that many targets.

Dave

[Knightsteel]

Originally posted by chrismoses
Yup, looks like fun. If you want to have more fun, next time buy some real targets. (http://tameshigiri.com) ;) That would really make things interesting.

I frequently use those mats for my personal practice as well as for demo. But this was another game. Yes they are more difficult than the Bugei wara, but with these numbers those were still very some significant cuts.

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by Knightsteel
...Yes they [the targets from tatami.com] are more difficult than the Bugei wara, but with these numbers those were still very some significant cuts.

Yeah, 23 is a goodly number. And regardless of the absolute difficulty of one brand of target compared to another, in this competition is was the relative number cut by each contestant that mattered, and if all were using the same targets then the playing field was level.

Considering that it was held at a Renaissance Faire and that the players were using Western swords, though, I wonder if "tameshigiri" was a good choice of discription. "Cutting Competition" or "Sword Cutting Contest" might have been a better choice.

BTW, I loved the photo of the "Really Big Taco."

[Knightsteel]

Originally posted by Brian Owens
Considering that it was held at a Renaissance Faire and that the players were using Western swords...

Only one of the entrants, Aaron Sua, of Albuquerque NM, was classicly trained in JSA. Cuts were done with a number of different sword styles, including katana and no-dachi. Most of the other swords chosen were of Chinese styling. I think it is rather telling that no one entered a European sword.

[gendzwil]

Weren't they pretty much all your blades, Daniel? I don't recall seeing anything else in the photos.

[Knightsteel]

It may come as a surprise to some, but I do make traditionally styled swords as well.

Swords from other makers were present and available for the competition. But after some test cutting all competitors chose my blades.

[m harper]

I was lucky enough to be there on Sunday and watched the winning cut. I was impressed by the cut and the beautiful sword he used. A great year again at the Texas Ren fair.

Mark Harper
Bujinkan Houston Dojo

[cxt]

Knightsteel

Glad to hear your competition was a success!

Cool pics.


Chris Thomas